AN INDEPENDENCE FROM EUROPEFormer UK MEP Mike Nattrass

Final bell tolls for British haulage industry

Thursday, April 14 2011

West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass fears struggling
British hauliers could be driven out of business by EU green
tolls.

Toll charges across Europe could soar as the EU attempts to
force through its Eurovignette Directive which would allow
European countries to introduce so-called green tolls which would
be a further financial burden for HGV operators.

UKIP MEP Mike Nattrass, who is a member of the EU’s
Transport and Tourism Committee, says the EU’s moves to
allow member states to introduce air and noise pollution charges
would put a break on the UK economy, lead to price rises for
goods on supermarket shelves and put some haulage firms out of
business.

Distance-based tolls for lorries could become a reality on
British roads as a result of the plans which are set to be put to
the vote at the EU Parliament’s plenary session in
June.

Mr Nattrass warned last year that the EU was attempting seize
control over British motorways and introduce pay-as-you-go travel
on our roads.

Commenting on the plans, Mr Nattrass said: “These EU
green tolls would be yet another tax on British hauliers who are
already getting a raw deal.

“UK HGV operators pay road tax to use British roads
– foreign operators do not and do not contribute anything
towards the wear and tear they cause to our roads. Yet, our
drivers pay EU road toll charges to use roads abroad.

“This is clearly not a level playing field. A
“Brit Disc”, paid by foreign lorries arriving at our
ports, should be introduced to end the discrimination in this
so-called single market.

“These green tolls will push further unnecessary costs
onto hauliers which will in turn increase the price of goods in
supermarkets,” he added.

Promoted by Mike Nattrass on behalf of Independence from Europe, both at 48, Fentham Road, Hampton in
Arden, B92 0AY.
Copyright 2014 Mike Nattrass MEP. All rights reserved.
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